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[kumanoki]

I'm looking into jazz. I really like some of the artists that are mainstream, like the Marsalis brothers, Mark Whitfield.... but can anyone suggest some other modern jazz albums or musicians? I'm pretty much starting from scratch here. Thanks.

 

[pollo]

well if youre going to get into jazz i suggest you start with the quintessential Miles Davis album "Kind of Blue". Download a few tracks from some Thelonious Monk, John Coltraine, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock and mix it up with some Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong...or if youre into her Billie Holiday. I dont know the modern artists too well, so most of what Im suggesting is all be-bop. You can obviously go for some throwback Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington type stuff....or if you want to go way back try getting some Scott Joplin or James P Johnson. I personally recommend you start your branch out with some Miles Davis, to give you a strong impression of what youre going to find. And then work your way backwards or forwards to whichever you prefer.

 

[Zensetsu]

well if youre going to get into jazz i suggest you start with the quintessential Miles Davis album "Kind of Blue". Download a few tracks from some Thelonious Monk, John Coltraine, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock and mix it up with some Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong...or if youre into her Billie Holiday. I dont know the modern artists too well, so most of what Im suggesting is all be-bop. You can obviously go for some throwback Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington type stuff....or if you want to go way back try getting some Scott Joplin or James P Johnson. I personally recommend you start your branch out with some Miles Davis, to give you a strong impression of what youre going to find. And then work your way backwards or forwards to whichever you prefer.

IAWTP

Jazz rocks, for playing and for listening to.

Aside from the awesome stuff mentioned above, ( Ellington, Hancock and Coltraine being my favourites there) I would sugest:

* Ginger Baker (mellow stuff mostly)
* Jaco Pastorius (most amazing jazz bass played ever, very modern)
* Cannonball Adderly (great sax player)
* Elvin Jones (awesome drumer)
* Fats Waller (if you're looking for classic stuff, but its very old.. not mainstream but i like it)

If you want some song titles to search for and download:
Cantaloupe Island, Watermelon Man, King Cobra (Herbie Hancock)
The Chicken, Invitation, Confirmation (Jaco Pastorius)
Little Sunflower (Freddie Hubbard)

Sorry for the excessive post, i'm very passionate about it.

 

[olimario]

Vince Guaraldi Trio
Al Dimeola

 

[AntoneM]

Charlie Parker, it's not modern but he was there when the bebop scene started, very influential and very awesome.

 

[kumanoki]

Thanks very much. I'll be looking for these later on. Any idea where I can find 'lite' jazz? I know most people hold pretty heavy judgement on it, calling it 'weather channel music', but I dig it. Especially piano. I loved the Sims strictly for that piano piece while you're building your house.

 

[Ill Saint]

Last Exit.
Also, look into the works of people like John Zorn, Bill Frissel, John Hassel, Wayne Horvitz, Fred Frith for some of the more abstract genre bending that goes on in modern Jazz. All musicians at the top of their game.

 

[Teknopathetic]

"* Jaco Pastorius (most amazing jazz bass played ever, very modern)"

Times 8 mofuckin' million. Weather Report *rocks*.

 

[gblues]

Dave Brubeck: Live at Carniegie Hall. 2 CDs of jazz goodness. AWESOME performance.

PROTIP: Live Jazz > Studio Recorded Jazz

Nathan

 

[={<SMOKE>}=]

as far as modern jazz goes, i'd recommend the following:

medeski, martin and wood

soul live